It Has Been Dry On PEI

It has been the driest summer on record at Prince Edward Island. No major rain has fallen since July 1.

The norm on the Island is one day of sun for two days of rain. Three hundred-plus growers can only hope for rain. Only 3 percent of the growers have irrigation.

Ivan Noonan, of the Island's grower organization, said smaller potatoes will be rolling over harvesters, but prices should be up.

The province's 150 process growers will not likely be able to meet their contracts, Noonan explained. Some say the price of potatoes may double. Processors are buying table stock as well as out-of-province potatoes. The early Shepody crop is down 25 to 50 percent.

Noonan says it is hoped the Russet Burbank crop will improve-if the Island gets rain in the next few weeks.

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